BJP wants Sena’s trust vote for berths in Fadnavis’ Cabinet

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seems to have a new condition for the Shiv Sena before being allowed to participate in its government. It wants its former ally to support it on the floor of the Assembly during the trust vote on November 12.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seems to have a new condition for the Shiv Sena before being allowed to participate in its government. It wants its former ally to support it on the floor of the Assembly during the trust vote on November 12.

The Sena, with 63 MLAs, is trying to push the BJP to seal the deal before the trust vote in the special session of the lower house. Smaller allies have also demanded ministerial berths, while independents have asked for a share in power in exchange of support to stabilise the government.

On Monday, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis told media persons in Nagpur that talks with the Sena were going on a positive note.BJP insiders said another trust vote motion can be raised only after six months from the first one.

“We will have ample of time to sort things out with the Sena and other aspirants after winning floor test on November 12,” said a senior leader.

In the meantime, he said, the BJP may also try to get leaders from other parties, as many legislators are ready to resignand contest polls on the BJP ticket.

The ruling party is targeting several Congress legislators, who are disillusioned with their party’s policy and performance.

The BJP is also relying heavily on the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to abstain from voting in the Assembly.

The Sena, however, is not ready to relent and is gearing up for a tough battle. “We will keep pushing that the decision be taken before the vote. We will finalise it in the next three days. If the BJP doesn’t decide, the equations between us will change again,” said a senior Sena leader, not wishing to be named.

Earlier in the day, Sena leader Anil Desai told reporters that a decision on whether his party will join the BJP government or not will be taken in the next two days and specifically before the trust vote.

Desai indicated that the talks were likely to lead to a positive outcome.

“Talks with the BJP are moving in the right direction. We will finalise our role in the new government before the floor test is conducted. Uddhavji [Thackeray] will take the final call,” said Desai, who has been holding talks with the BJP’s central leadership for the past few days.Sources said the BJP is willing to part with only five to six ministerial berths for the Sena. The ratio may increase whenever the Cabinet is expanded.